Or, maybe you’ve had a dream job in mind that you needed the extra incentive of being jobless to kick-start your move in that direction.

But, what if you don’t have any ideas about what to do next? Read on…

Adversity often leads to creativity as we try to move from an uncomfortable situation to one that is more desirable.

If you’re looking for a new job, you might look at employment options you wouldn’t give a second thought to in other circumstances.

One of the challenges we all face is knowing what jobs are available. We each have limited access to information about job possibilities.

There are career opportunities to be discovered in unexpected places. Here are some areas you might consider.

Anything to do with pets.

Dog sitting or doggie daycare. Grooming and walking services. Creating or selling merchandise for pets – fancy collars and leashes, food trays, outfits… the options are only limited to your imagination.

Luxury, green, and organic items are becoming more popular. Insurance, travel and healthcare are some other pet-related areas to investigate.

This is a market worth over $3 billion. You can probably find a job that will generate – or tap into – some of that revenue.

Personal services.

Do you like to see everything in order? Are you a good cook? Can you shop and do errands effectively? Are you organized? All of these skills can lead to jobs, either as an entrepreneur or working in an established business. Personal or executive chef. Professional organizer. Concierge service. Personal assistant.

Busy people and organizations need these services. If you’re good at one of them, check it out. We all have skills beyond those used in a typical office. Your next job could be radically different from the one you had. And maybe more fun.

Helping the elderly.

And I don’t mean offering your arm to help them across a busy intersection. Services for the elderly are expanding. Like pets, they need services and products designed specifically for them. Offer transportation. Help navigate the healthcare system. Become an advocate for housing or community elder services.

If you’ve had to assist an elderly parent, you may have developed skills others would appreciate – or managed needs no one has anticipated. Your experience and expertise could make you a pro in this booming field.

Bottom Line:

Whether you work for someone or go it alone, doing something a little different in the interim between corporate jobs might be more than a paycheck – it could be fun and personally satisfying. Think outside the box when you’re stuck and consider everything as a possible new job.

About the author…

Dr. Jan Cannon, Job-Hunt’s Mid-Life Career Expert, is author of Now What Do I Do? The Woman’s Guide to a New Career, Find a Job: 7 Steps to Success, Finding a Job in a Slow Economy, co-author of Exceptional Accomplishment, and a career professional for 20 years. Visit her website, https://www.cannoncareercenter.com for more career advice and help.

The post Mid-Life Job Options appeared first on Job-Hunt.

Mid-career is a good time to examine the work you’re doing, and see if it is really what you want.

Maybe your needs have changed since you were employed. Or you’re ready for something different, closer to home, less travel, etc.

This could be the time to make a change, and an easy way to start is by becoming a temporary employee.

It’s likely that companies will hire new employees using temps as the economy recovers. Why? It’s easier to add to the workforce using temps because, if the need lessens, it’s easy to cut temp workers from the workforce.

On the plus side, they can meet potential future employees and “test” them, leading to potential hiring.

So what should you do now?

• If you have a specialty, join a temp agency that specializes in placements in that area or in companies you’re interested in.
• If you’re looking to change career direction, enroll with an agency in the new field you’re considering. It’s a way to “test the waters” without making a commitment. It’s a way to be paid while you’re learning about a new field. And it’s easier for you to quit if you find you don’t like the work.

The pay may not be comparable to what you’d earn in a full-time job, but it can help cover basic living costs if not fund your retirement account. And having social contact can be beneficial to your mental health.

Of course, just like looking for any job, do your research. Find out all you can about the temporary agencies and their clients. Like any business, some are good and some merely OK.  Employers will see you as they see the agency. Make the best choice for yourself.

Bottom Line

Don’t forget that you’re still seeking a full time job even while you’re working for a temp agency. Use your contacts at the agency and the employers to enhance your networking efforts. The more people in your network who can direct you to jobs, the better. Networking is still the best method for finding a new job.

More Information About Other Work Options:

• Job-Hunt’s Guide to Lifestyle-Friendly Careers
• Job-Hunt’s Guide to the Temporary Work Option

About the author…

Dr. Jan Cannon, Job-Hunt’s Mid-Life Career Expert, is author of Now What Do I Do? The Woman’s Guide to a New Career, Find a Job: 7 Steps to Success, Finding a Job in a Slow Economy, co-author of Exceptional Accomplishment, and a career professional for 20 years. Visit her website, https://www.cannoncareercenter.com for more career advice and help.

The post Is a Temporary Job (“Temping”) for You in Mid-Life? appeared first on Job-Hunt.

Know What You Like to Do

My philosophy is this: if you know what you like to do, then you can gain all the skills you need and find a job that makes you feel fulfilled — and pay the bills. The secret is to find out what you like to do — and that can sometimes be a huge challenge.  For many of us we’ve been told since childhood what’s good for us, what won’t work, to follow the family trade, etc., instead of being encouraged to do what we like.

In the current economy you may feel you have to find a job right away, even if it’s something you never thought about before. There may be a mortgage, family issues or big credit card bills to consider before taking the plunge to do something you’ve only dreamed about. And if you’re older (40-50+) you may be facing other life issues: recent divorce, college tuitions, health problems, etc., that make you think twice about leaving the job you have or finding one that really has been only a thought, not a real consideration.

Think About Your Past

But take a little time this summer and indulge yourself in your dreams (and memories). Think about those things you did when you were a child — what you did when no one told you what to do. It might have been playing school with your stuffed animals as students. Or building buttresses and ditches with dirt and sticks for your GI Joe and gang. Or drawing, reading or caring for a pet. Think back to when you were 5, 6, 7 and 8. Did you like to play alone? with 1 or 2 close friends? with all the kids on the block?

Turn Yesterday’s Ideas into Tomorrow’s Job

For every activity you did in childhood, there’s an equivalent adult possibility. Take some time to reconnect with your younger self. Remember what you liked to do — and then think about what new job you could have that would make you as happy as you were “way back when.” Sit with a cool drink in the evening twilight and plan your future based on your past dreams. Summer is a great time to work on your job search. Just take it easy… after all, it’s summer.

More: 6 Interview Tips for Mid-Career Professionals

About the author…

Dr. Jan Cannon, Job-Hunt’s Mid-Life Career Expert, is author of Now What Do I Do? The Woman’s Guide to a New Career, Find a Job: 7 Steps to Success, Finding a Job in a Slow Economy, co-author of Exceptional Accomplishment, and a career professional for 20 years. Visit her website, https://www.cannoncareercenter.com for more career advice and help.

The post Summer Job Search for Your Mid-Life Career appeared first on Job-Hunt.

Job Requirements

Decide first what you’re looking for in a new job and what skills and experience you want to use.

• What are your new priorities?
• Time in the evenings and weekends?
• Less travel?
• Benefits package that includes employer contributions to a retirement plan?

What about pay? Will you work for less than you did on your previous job? Be ready in case that new offer is lower than you expected.

Once you have your game plan you can look at the items you’ll need for your updated job search.

Skills Update

If you’ve been away from a full-time job for over a year, you should understand what new technology you should be adding to your skill sets.

While you’re checking job postings, note what education and training is required. Make sure there’s a match between what you want to learn and what skills companies want to hire.

Take classes or get needed certifications to both stay competitive and enhance your resume. This may be the perfect time to learn the secrets of Excel or Power Point. Microsoft has free online training in the use of its products, like many software vendors.

Check out the free online learning at sites like KhanAcademy.org or MIT’s Open Courseware site which includes courses for starting and running your own business. And don’t forget YouTube.com!

Or maybe you can complete a college or technical school degree that was on hold. Just be sure to check on how such programs worked for other grads before you pay the tuition and fees.

New Resume

Usually an interview begins with a review of your resume.

If there are gaps in your experience, explain them. You may have been volunteering or working on a political campaign.

What skills did you use or learn that can be added to your resume?

• Did you do fundraising?
• Create marketing materials for the Soccer Team potluck?
• Maybe you organized the Little League schedule or carpool?
• Or something else…

Think how those skills translate into business terms (operations, marketing, development), and include them on your updated resume.

You might consider a Functional/Chronological resume to focus on your accomplishments and then list your employment history with job titles and dates.

Networking

Job leads from friends and former colleagues are the best way to find new jobs. Unless you’ve kept in touch with former bosses and co-workers, you may need to beef up your professional network. Now’s the time to reconnect and let them know you’re looking for work.

Join networking groups for both moral support and real leads. Check with a local Chamber of Commerce or your state’s CareerOneStops or Job Centers (sponsored by the state or federal government) for networking opportunities.

Of course you can visit professional organization meetings, too. They should have the latest information about the industry and local companies, which might have openings. Read their newsletters and check out their websites, too.

Everybody you know can also be part of your network: school groups, community organizations, neighbors, etc. You want to meet and talk with as many people as possible to get leads for jobs.

This is no time to be shy. Ask for the help you need. People want to help!

Finances

It can be expensive to take on a full-time job: new clothes, commuting expenses, lunch and coffee costs, child care, increased taxes and probably more fast food dinners. Hopefully the new job will offer pay and benefits to compensate for these expenses.

Just plan for both income and costs as you manage your job search. It could be months before you land something new and it may be at a lower salary level than you’d hoped for. The longer you stay out of work, the more challenging it might be to return.

Getting Help

An extended job search might require the help of a career professional. View it as an investment, with you receiving advice about your resume and available jobs. Career professionals can also help you reevaluate your current job search and determine if you should be considering other options like lowered salary or part-time work to get back in circulation.

A job search requires lots of hard work. Having realistic expectations, current skills and help if you need it will ultimately lead to success. Stay focused and keep smiling.

About the author…

Dr. Jan Cannon, Job-Hunt’s Mid-Life Career Expert, is author of Now What Do I Do? The Woman’s Guide to a New Career, Find a Job: 7 Steps to Success, Finding a Job in a Slow Economy, co-author of Exceptional Accomplishment, and a career professional for 20 years. Visit her website, https://www.cannoncareercenter.com for more career advice and help.

The post Getting Back on Track After Time Out of the Workforce appeared first on Job-Hunt.

Retooling yourselfcan be a daunting task. You might have the feeling that you’restarting over from scratch. But that’s not true. You do have experiencethat will be valuable in your new job; things like knowing how businesseswork, getting along with co-workers, work habits, etc. They’llgive you an advantage over workers with no experience.

Transforming Yourself

So, how do you transformyourself? The most obvious is to go back to school or get more training.Before you spend the time and money, however, do a self-assessment tobe sure you need it. Start by yourself, but you might want to work witha career counselor if you get stuck. They have tools that can help identifyyour skill strengths. Here’s a suggestion to get started.

Start with What You Do and Enjoy

Make a list of allthe things you know how to do well. Don’t limit yourself to work-relatedskills. Think of the things you do as hobbies, as a volunteer, etc.Your new job may be in a totally new field for you and use some of theseskills.

Make a list of whatyou know. This could include specialized programming languages, designingan organic herb garden or how to apply theatrical make-up. This listmight be hard to make since we rarely think about what we know whenwe’re working on a task—whether at home or on the job.

Brainstorm aboutwhat jobs use the skills you’ve put on your two lists. It mighthelp to do this with someone (friend, spouse, fellow job seeker) sincemore ideas are better. Be wild and crazy when you’re making thislist. You can always go back later and get rid of the totally “offthe wall” ideas.

Organize your listof brainstormed ideas. See if there are jobs that fall into categories—eitherby task or type of organization that would use them—and groupthem together.

Edit your groups,putting them in order of preference—the one you like best first,etc.

Do any of your topthree categories require more training? If so, then find a program thatgives you the skills you need (check out their job placement statisticsas well as their courses).

Potential Employers?

Start looking for companiesthat would use those skills categories. They might not be companiesposting jobs just now, but they are companies you should investigateand try to get an information interview with.

The more companiesyou can put on your list, the more likely you are to find a job. Usethe want ads (online and off) to identify companies. Look in the YellowPages. Check business directories at the library. Visit one-stop careercenters to check out their resources.

Your next job maybe totally unrelated to your last. Or it may be a variation on it. Justbe willing to change focus. Keep a positive attitude. And get help ifyou need it. Just like Steve Buscemi (former NYC fireman, present Hollywoodactor), you can reinvent yourself to get a new career focus.

About the author…

Dr. Jan Cannon, Job-Hunt’s Mid-Life Career Expert, is author of Now What Do I Do? The Woman’s Guide to a New Career, Find a Job: 7 Steps to Success, Finding a Job in a Slow Economy, co-author of Exceptional Accomplishment, and a career professional for 20 years. Visit her website, https://www.cannoncareercenter.com for more career advice and help.

The post Retooling Your Mid-Life Career appeared first on Job-Hunt.

Here are some suggestions for moving your resume from so-so to spectacular.

Exclude Some Skills and Activities

1. Don’t include on a resume any skills or activities you’re not interesting in continuing in the future.

During an interview, the interviewer generally looks at the resume and reviews it from top to bottom, asking questions about what’s written. If, for instance, you list “budgeting” as one of your job tasks, but don’t really want to be involved in budget preparations in the future, leave budgeting off your resume.

The interviewer might say, “Oh, I see you’ve had budgeting experience. That’s great. This job has a good deal of budgeting associated with it.” Can you answer, “Oh, I don’t really want to do that anymore.”? Better to not have the comment/question arise in the first place.

2. Avoid making the resume a laundry list of everything you’ve done.

Don’t include skills or activities that aren’t relevant to the job you are seeking. Including irrelevant information makes it harder for the interviewer to quickly see how you already meet the job’s requirements. If you have experience in retail sales, but this job doesn’t need someone with retail sales expereince, don’t include it on your resume for this job.

Make it easy for the reader to learn about you.

When describing your job experience, instead of creating a dense paragraph-like list, create a list using bullet points. The resume is a tool to secure an interview, a better place to focus on the details of your knowledge and skills. Have the resume indicate where you’re headed; describe only those parts of your job experience that relate to the job you’re applying for.

Only list positions you’ve held for the past ten years.

If you’ve worked at multiple companies and have a long job history, only focus on the most recent positions on your resume.

It’s likely your most recent jobs have built on your experience, or you’re in an entirely new field. In either case, if listing all those jobs makes your resume longer than two pages, drop the old positions or merely list the companies, job titles and dates. The purpose of the resume is to inform the reader about you, but avoid boring him/her with endless details or information.

Note: If you’ve only worked in a few companies for the past thirty years, listing jobs from more than ten years ago won’t be a problem.

Use a Profile or Summary section, not Objective, at the top of your resume.

The Profile or Summary is simply a description of your skills and experience compacted into three or four sentences, appearing just under your name and contact information.

If there are a lot of resumes received for a position, as often is the case, each resume may only get 30 seconds of attention.

A targeted, information packed summary which includes key words from the job description stands a better chance of being read beyond the first few sentences.

Make it easy for the reader to find out that you’re a good fit and call you for an interview.

Bottom Line

Take a hard look at your current resume and see how you can improve it. Make it a document that the reader can easily learn that you’re a good candidate for the job. And remember, you can have a unique resume for every job you apply for.

Just be sure you tell the truth and focus on how your experience makes you a good choice for the position.

More: 6 Interview Tips for Mid-Career Professionals

About the author…

Dr. Jan Cannon, Job-Hunt’s Mid-Life Career Expert, is author of Now What Do I Do? The Woman’s Guide to a New Career, Find a Job: 7 Steps to Success, Finding a Job in a Slow Economy, co-author of Exceptional Accomplishment, and a career professional for 20 years. Visit her website, https://www.cannoncareercenter.com for more career advice and help.

The post Your Mid-Life Career Resume: From So-So to Spectacular appeared first on Job-Hunt.

No matter what, eventually mid-career employees with experience will be hired. And now is the time to prepare.

It’s likely that people who have stayed in jobs they don’t like during the economic stress will reconsider once new jobs become available. So, it’s not only new jobs that will be created when businesses are growing again, but also replacing employees who will jump ship when they can.

What can and should you do to prepare? Here are 3 suggestions.

1. Skills Update

Be sure you are technically up to date in your field. That may mean taking some courses for improved proficiency or obtaining new certification or licensure.

If you’re looking to change fields, be sure to learn what technical skills are needed in the new field and then get up to speed.  This includes, of course, computer skills, but also could mean accounting updates, engineering changes, even knowing the latest etiquette for using the new social media online.

Specialized skills and information vary by industry so become informed via industry publications and company websites.

2. Association Membership

If you’ve let an industry or professional association membership lapse, this may be a good time to get reconnected.

You can find out the newest trends in your field and renew or start networking with colleagues who often know about job openings before they are put into general circulation. Volunteer to work with the membership officer to meet the largest number of members with the least amount of effort.

3. Personal Update

One side effect of not working, or being unhappy in your job, is gaining weight. We tend to eat fats and sweets to feel better and, if slightly depressed, skip the exercise, too. Start now to get in shape for interviewing. You don’t want your interview suit to fit like body armor.

Have your hair styled (and colored if there’s lots of gray) and send the suit to the cleaners for a fresh look. Polish your shoes and think about contemporary eyeglass frames (or contact lenses).

This may seem shallow and egotistical, but you want to look and feel your best for any interviews that come along. So use this time to get in shape physically as well as mentally.

Bottom Line

New jobs will be available in the not-too-distant future. Now is the time to prepare so you are ready to make a strong entry into the market.

About the author…

Dr. Jan Cannon, Job-Hunt’s Mid-Life Career Expert, is author of Now What Do I Do? The Woman’s Guide to a New Career, Find a Job: 7 Steps to Success, Finding a Job in a Slow Economy, co-author of Exceptional Accomplishment, and a career professional for 20 years. Visit her website, https://www.cannoncareercenter.com for more career advice and help.

The post Preparing in Mid-Life for the Economy to Rebound appeared first on Job-Hunt.

It’s important not to bring up salary until there’s an offer, to give you the best negotiating position.

The Salary History Question Problem

What do you do if a job application asks for a salary history? Or what if an interviewer asks what you earned on your last job?

Don’t give a figure. You may be pricing yourself out of the job (overqualified) or, amazingly, you may be seen as not experienced enough (under qualified).Here’s an example:

• Let’s say you mentioned $60,000 as the salary you’re seeking. What if they’d been willing to offer $55,000 tops? You wouldn’t be considered because they would assume you would take the job, but keep looking for one that paid better, whether or not that’s true.
• The opposite can happen when they’re expecting to pay $80,000 and you mention $60,000. Do you have enough experience and skills to perform in the job? Maybe yes, but you’ll be perceived as not.

So either way, mentioning salary too early in the process (before the offer interview) can be detrimental. So what can you do?

Salary History Question Solutions

When you are sending in your resume with an accompanying cover letter:

1. In your cover letter, mention that they requested a salary history.
2. Then, state that you’re paid market value of the job (title you had) with (number) of years of experience.
3. Also state that you’d be happy to discuss your compensation package in an interview. And assure them that salary will not be a problem.

Then, in the interview, you can say, “If the job seems like a good fit, [you’re] sure an agreement on the appropriate salary can be reached.” Notice no mention of any dollar amounts yet!

When you are completing an application that asks for your salary requirements, previous salary, or salary history:

1. Write “Open” in the salary requirement space.
2. If possible, leave previous salary/history blank.If you are required to complete all fields in the form for it to qualify as a “completed application,” write “Competitive” and add an asterisk ” * ” so that the salary requirement and/or history space on the form looks like this, “Competitive * “At the bottom of the page, note ” * I’ll be happy to discuss this in an interview.”

In the initial interview, indicate that you’ll discuss it during a hiring interview, but assure them that “salary won’t be a problem.” Then, find out if you’re a good fit for the position and the position is a good fit for you.

Remember the cardinal rule of negotiating: do NOT make the first offer.

For information about salary levels, there are many websites which offer that information. Just be sure to look at job responsibilities, not just job titles, when making comparisons.

For salary research tips, read How to Research and Find the Salary You Deserve.

About the author…

Dr. Jan Cannon, Job-Hunt’s Mid-Life Career Expert, is author of Now What Do I Do? The Woman’s Guide to a New Career, Find a Job: 7 Steps to Success, Finding a Job in a Slow Economy, co-author of Exceptional Accomplishment, and a career professional for 20 years. Visit her website, https://www.cannoncareercenter.com for more career advice and help.

The post Addressing the Salary History Issue for Your New Mid-Life Career Job appeared first on Job-Hunt.

There are often consulting opportunities even when there are fewer full-time jobs.

Consultants can help businesses fix problems and cost less than hiring an employee.

Think about your skills and knowledge. Can they be used as a consultant?

The Benefits:

As with any temporary assignment, consulting allows you to view a company from the inside. And they get to “try you out” without making a long-term commitment.

This could give you the edge if they decide to hire. You also may conclude that it’s not the right place for you, and you can leave without much effort.

It’s always best to look for a job when you have a job, and a consulting gig puts you in that position.

You’ll get to meet contacts who could be valuable in finding the next job. And you’ll be better able to stay up-to-date with the latest trends in the industry.

Getting Started:

To get started, try to attend an association meeting. The Institute of Management Consultantsis one place to look. They have chapters in most major cities. Try the American Management Association website for other ideas. Usually such meetings have a speaker or topic of discussion and offer great networking opportunities, too. Some even have referral networks. You can learn what other consultants are doing and maybe even find a mentor or partner.

You might want to enroll in a community or adult education program about becoming a consultant or starting your own business. The U.S. Small Business Administration also runs classes in many locales, so check www.sba.gov for more information.

The biggest challenge for new consultants is finding projects. Begin with your former employer(s). They already know you and your work so you only have to sell your services. And don’t underestimate networking. Referrals are the best source of consulting opportunities.

You may find consulting to be preferable to being employed. Congratulations, you’ve just found your new job.

More Information:

• Job-Hunt’s Guide to Contracting and Freelancing
• Job-Hunt’s Guide to Lifestyle-Friendly Careers

About the author…

Dr. Jan Cannon, Job-Hunt’s Mid-Life Career Expert, is author of Now What Do I Do? The Woman’s Guide to a New Career, Find a Job: 7 Steps to Success, Finding a Job in a Slow Economy, co-author of Exceptional Accomplishment, and a career professional for 20 years. Visit her website, https://www.cannoncareercenter.com for more career advice and help.

The post Is Consulting Your Mid-Life Career? appeared first on Job-Hunt.

Why Change Now?

Think about what it is you do every day. Are you still interested in the content of your job, the daily and weekly skills that you use? If so, then maybe your job discontent is related to the company where you work.

Sometimes businesses grow or merge or change leadership that leads to a change in culture or environment.You might have once been happy working for a small company where you had a wide variety of tasks, but now that the business has grown, your job may have become repetitive and a little boring. Maybe the hour-long commute was fine before you had children, but now you prefer to be home before they go to bed. All are reasons for considering a job change.

Just know the reasons you want to leave so that you can ask the right questions at the new job interviews.

Is It the Job?

If you think it’s your job that’s the problem, list the tasks you generally perform and mark those you like to do. If fewer than half of the tasks are checked, you probably will be happier with a new career direction. Maybe it’s time to start that business you’ve always dreamed of, or join the non-profit that serves your political or cultural interests. Since you spend so many hours a week working, you should be doing something you like, if not love.

Is It Something Else?

At the other extreme, you may have marked most of the job tasks as those you enjoy. Then the problem is something else: your colleagues, commute, boss, pay, opportunities to advance, etc. The task becomes to identify what needs to change so you don’t end up in another job that doesn’t meet your needs.

Think about your ideal job description, and then go looking for it. You’ll come up with good interview questions if you know exactly what you want. The closer you can get to that ideal, the happier you’re likely to be.

Get Help

Don’t consider job hunting as a “do-it-yourself” enterprise. It can be a lengthy process to find a new job. Find a colleague or friend who’s also job hunting, or hire a career professional to help. The cost is worth the money invested if you find a job you love.

About the author…

Dr. Jan Cannon, Job-Hunt’s Mid-Life Career Expert, is author of Now What Do I Do? The Woman’s Guide to a New Career, Find a Job: 7 Steps to Success, Finding a Job in a Slow Economy, co-author of Exceptional Accomplishment, and a career professional for 20 years. Visit her website, https://www.cannoncareercenter.com for more career advice and help.

The post Time to Choose a New Mid-Life Career? appeared first on Job-Hunt.